Butts County deputy killed in crash responding to call

By Marcus K. Garner

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A Butts County sheriff’s deputy was killed overnight responding to a call, Channel 2 Action News is reporting.

Butts County Sheriff's Office Deputy Ronnie Eugene Smith died after the car he was driving went off the road and hit two trees on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011.

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Around 10:30 p.m., Saturday, Deputy Ronnie Eugene Smith, 49, was en route to a report of a fight when his car went off Biles Road near Four Points Road and hit two trees.

"He will be sorely missed," Sheriff Gene Pope told Chanel 2, saying deputies behind Smith saw him lose control, but were too far away to help.

Smith, who’s been with the Sheriff’s department four years, died at the scene, authorities told Channel 2.

Pope  that road conditions in the county south of Henry County were clear at the time of the crash, and the department is investigating the cause of the accident.

"There was a hill with a little bit of a turn," Pope said. "But officers have to multitask when responding to a call. You have to talk on the radio, watch your speed, look out for deer. Anything could've happened in that car to cause him to drop off the shoulder."

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